SylviaBennett

Start Your Holiday Shopping Early for a Good Cause

I am always looking for ways to make a difference with my music.  I love to sing and make people happy.  Now, I'm the one that's happy because Janet, my assistant, came up with a way to help any organization raise money for their cause.

This one in particular is very dear to me because, once again,  I'm helping Janet raise money for young David's baseball.  Last year, she came up with the clever idea of raising funds with my music CDs and a GoFundMe page to go to Cooperstown, NY.

Now we are taking it a step further and we are launching this new concept by helping to raise money, for the Cougars Baseball Booster Club, with my new website SmileGifts.com. For the next week, 20% of all sales will go to the Cougars Baseball Booster Club.  All they have to do is share it on their Social Media pages.  When the group, their family and friends buy, they will be making 20% of all sales*.

It's a simple idea and a win-win for everyone.

Feel free to share this post.  Start your holiday shopping, make people Smile and help a team buy new uniforms and equipment.

 

*When purchasing music downloads, email a copy of your receipt to [email protected] to ensure proper credit.

So Much to Share

With Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, I didn't realize that it's been a year since my last post here!  I've been doing a lot of traveling in the past year both personally and professionally.  I released a single, Another Love Song,  from my upcoming CD, It's All About Love. I also have a new online store SmileGifts.com.

Every chance I get, I update my travel blog, Places to Make You Smile.  I like sharing my experiences and giving you a review of my favorite hotels, restaurants and destinations.  I also post pictures to give you an idea of what we have experienced on our trip.

One of the highlights of the past year is that Another Love Song has been on the RadioWave Monitor Top 100 Smooth Jazz Chart for 29 weeks!

The Sylvia Bennett Gift Collection has grown and has its own website at SmileGifts.com.  I now have jewelry, apparel, accessories and gifts along with my music CDs and CD greeting cards.  Make sure that you're on our mailing list; we will be having Black Friday specials.

As you can see, it's been quite a busy year for me and we're not done. 

Think Pink, Share and We All Win!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than wearing pink. It’s about giving all that we can to help find a cure. That’s why we’re holding a special giveaway on our social media sites. We’ve put some Breast Cancer Awareness products and my latest CD Best Love Songs in this tote bag. Simply LIKE our page on Facebook and share any of our Giveaway posts with your friends for your chance to WIN!

We’ll announce the winner on Nov. 1. 

Thank You!

Look of Love is in Bossanovanglo

My version of Look of Love is included in Bossanovanglo released on September 29, 2014.

Great news to share with you!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you have enjoyed your summer as much as we have.  Our travels have taken us overseas to Paris, Tuscany and Gstaad, a short stay in our Key Biscayne home and now we are out West enjoying the mountains and hiking trails in Colorado.  

The release of my latest CD, Best Love Songs, and the concert at the Aplina Gstaad have been memorable events. I am happy to inform you that I have been invited to come back next summer for another concert.  I have great news to share with you; our Gift Collection Web Store is now open.  You can buy any of our CD Greeting cards, wine bags and gift baskets with a click of the mouse.

We are now heading into our fall travel that starts with Carmel, California and I am looking forward to performing at the benefit concert for the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts (WICA) in Langley, Washington.                                                                  

Sending you a Smile,

Sylvia

Best Love Songs available July 1, 2014

Sylvia Bennett's latest release

Best Love Songs is now available on

iTunes, Amazon.com, BandCamp and CD Baby

Ready for Summer in Switzerland

Hi Everyone,

So here I am, 3 days away from our summer trip. My suitcase is packed and my itinerary is set and I’m ready. The fact that I’ll be performing at the Alpina Gstaad in Switzerland makes this trip even more exciting. I have been rehearsing the show for the past few weeks and tweaking it as I go along.

The new CD project is now in production. Since we still have some time before its release on July 1st, I will give you a sneak peek at one part of the album cover:



Follow me on Facebook and Twitter and you’ll be able to see the rest of the pieces of the puzzle.

I look forward to sharing more about my trip and the concert next time. In the meantime, enjoy your summer wherever it may take you.

Sending you a Smile,
Sylvia

Celebrate JAM with a Smile

Hi Everyone, 

This is such a wonderful time of year.  Spring doesn’t only bring April showers it also brings Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM).  JAM creates awareness to a genre of music that has so much to offer.  Since 2001, the Smithsonian Institution has been a leader in preserving and promoting the history of jazz and celebrates the month with special events and concerts in Washington D.C. Lionel Hampton’s birthday is also in April.  This happens to be a special time for me too because, as you know, Lionel Hampton was my mentor and he was the one to bring out the jazz performer in me.  Throughout the month, I will be sharing pictures and videos of my time with Lionel on Facebook and Twitter so I hope you follow me.  For example, did you know that Lionel Hampton donated his vibraphone to the Smithsonian Institution in 2001 where it was on exhibit?  Click here to read more about it…

I’m also very busy this month working on a new CD project and putting together the show for the concert in Gstaad. 

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Sending you a Smile,
Sylvia

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Jazz Musician: Lionel Hampton

Sylvia Bennett March News

Hi Everyone,

I hope you enjoyed your Valentine’s Day as much as I did. The dinner and concert at Mariposa this year surpassed even my expectations. The manager, Michael Hyatt, and his chef, outdid themselves with the spectacular menu; It created a perfect complement to my show. The evening was magical and it was heartwarming to see so many returning guests from the last time. I can’t believe it was two years ago. The Rotary event at the Boater’s Grill celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Key Biscayne Art Festival was also special. I encourage you all to come to Key Biscayne on March 15th and 16th to enjoy great food and fabulous art.

It was an honor for me to entertain at the Marian Center fundraiser. Chef and sommelier Lee Blakely did a magnificent job explaining the wine and pairings at the stemware-specific wine tasting. It was fabulous and our hosts, Bill and Kim Kent, couldn't have been more gracious. I also want to share with you that I have booked an additional date on my calendar. The Alpina Gstaad has invited me to perform at an exclusive concert dinner to celebrate the Summer Season. Needless to say, I am over the top with excitement. It is a magnificent hotel located in a beautiful area of Switzerland. If you love to travel like I do, you might want to come to this event.

On a different subject, I am always looking for ways to help organizations fundraise for their different causes. One way has been through my performances and the other has been by giving a portion of my CD sales to help raise money. It just so happens, that my assistant Janet, is fundraising for her son to participate with his baseball team for their trip to Cooperstown, NY. She came up with a creative way to thank those that donate by using GoFundMe.com and my music and products. Below, I will let her explain it to you because this is a good example as to how you can partner with me to help you fundraise for those causes that mean so much to you.

Hoping you have a great St. Patrick’s Day.

Love, Sylvia

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Hi,

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Janet and I’ve been lucky to work with Sylvia for many years. I take care of all the “behind the scenes” tasks so that Sylvia can concentrate on what she does best. If you have been to one of her shows, then you might have seen me there.

Throughout the years, we have partnered with different organizations to help raise money for their causes. Usually, a portion of the CD sales goes back to the organization. It always makes us happy when we can give back to the community in one way or another.

This year, it just so happens that my son’s baseball team, the PBSA Angels, is going to Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York during the summer. That’s a long way from Miami, Florida! Like all teams, we are doing the usual fundraisers that include car washes, garage sales, and raffles.

Since Sylvia and I have had many conversations on fundraising, this was my opportunity to raise extra funds for David’s trip and create a model that other people/organizations could use. Crowdfunding has become a popular way to fundraise since it uses the internet and social media to spread the word. I decided to use GoFundMe.com. It gives you the ability to create a website that can be easily shared with friends and family and you can also accept donations and gifts through it.

How does it work for me? I purchase the merchandise at a discount and set my own price. I created seven different levels. Each level offers a range of Sylvia Bennett merchandise from notepads to t-shirts and even all of Sylvia’s CDs and merchandise. In my case, the prices for the different levels are actually the retail price you would buy the merchandise at any of Sylvia’s shows or online. Click here to view David’s GoFundMe site.

How can you partner with Sylvia Bennett to fundraise for your cause? Whether it’s for your school, your team or your non-profit, you can raise funds by starting your own campaign. You too can purchase the products at a discount. You set your own price and you keep the profit. If you would like more information, please send me an email at [email protected].

In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to read this and to visit David’s GoFundMe site.

Celebrate Valentine's with Sylvia Bennett

Hi Everyone,

I have so much to share with you today. I have performance dates on the calendar and a new item for the Sylvia Bennett Gift Collection.

Let’s start with From the Heart CD greeting card.  This unique gift is now available just in time for Valentine’s Day.  It includes some of my favorite songs like My Funny Valentine, Embraceable You and    You Make Me Feel So Young. You can find it on our website and on Amazon.com.   

For the upcoming performances, we are back at Mariposa Restaurant in Neiman Marcus for Valentine’s weekend on Friday, February 14^th and Saturday, February, 15^th.  Dinner begins at 7:00 p.m. with show to follow. Michael is preparing a fabulous dinner menu and I’m working on putting together a collection of wonderful romantic songs for you. 

I will also be performing at the 50^th Annual Key Biscayne Rotary Art Festival Celebration on February 26 at Boater’s Grill on Key Biscayne.  The actual festival will be on March 15^th and 16^th.  This is one art festival you shouldn’t miss. 

I’m very honored to be part of the fundraiser for the Marian Center School on March 8^th in Ft. Lauderdale.  I had the pleasure of visiting the Center and was touched by how the nuns are dedicated to teaching and taking care of the developmentally disabled children and adults. This special fundraiser is a “Stemware-Specific” wine tasting dinner led by Sommelier and Master Chef Lee Blakeley who will provide a unique culinary adventure.  I hope that you will be able to join me at one of these events.

I hope that you have a beautiful Valentine’s Day.

Sending you Love and Smiles,

Sylvia

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Express Yourself with a Unique Gift! 

This beautifully packaged CD Greeting Card combination can be used for any occasion. Let
the music tell them how you feel. It includes timeless classics from the American Songbook that will warm anyone’s  heart. It’s a gift and a card “all–in–one.”

This unique presentation is also perfect for corporate gifts, hostess gifts, party favors, and even fundraising!

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Upcoming Performances:

 

February 14 and 15 at 7:00 p.m.

Valentine’s Weekend at Mariposa Restaurant

Sylvia will perform international songs of love.

Mariposa Restaurant will present a $49.50 (+tax and service) prix fixe three–course dinner plus a welcome taste that includes entertainment.  Reservations are limited. To reserve please call 786.999.1018 or online at www.therestaurantsofneimanmarcus.com.  Valet and Self–Parking available.

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February 26 at 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

50th Annual Key Biscayne Rotary Art Festival Celebration

Boater's Grill in Bill Baggs State Park
The cost is $20.00 per person, cash bar

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March 8^th 

Marian Center Fundraising Event

Details to follow